First train between Mendipathar in Meghalaya and Guwahati

PM Modi flags off train between Mendipathar to Guwahati; stresses on developing north-east

Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underlined the government’s resolve to accord priority to the development of the north-east as he flagged-off the first train from Mendipathar, Meghalaya, to Guwahati and unveiled the plaque for a new rail line from Bhairabi to Sairang.

PM Narendra Modi and CM of Assam Tarun Gogoi flag off the first passenger train in Maligaon, Guwahati. PIC/PTI

Emphasising on the development of north-east, Prime Minister Modi said all he knew was that if India had to be prosperous then the development of north-east was a priority.

“I don’t know much about Vaastu Shastra but I have heard if we keep our Ishan (northeast quarter) corner well, the entire house is blessed with prosperity,”he said.

Stating that infrastructure was the first step towards development, Modi said that once infrastructure was developed, people could themselves contribute a lotto development.

The Prime Minister announced that the first Union Budget of the new government had committed Rs 28,000 crore to the development of new railway lines in the north-east.

He said that the whole world acknowledged that this century was Asia’s century, adding that the need of the hour was to extend the ‘Look East’ policy to an ‘Act East’ policy and to connect the entire region with Myanmar and countries beyond.

Modi said India now needs next-generation infrastructure, consisting of both highways and I-ways (information ways). He said there should be no digital divide, and the vision of Digital India also encompasses the north-east.

“Why should there not be a gas-grid, why should we not get electricity all 24 hours?” asked Modi at the event. He also expressed confidence that next-gen infrastructure would be the key to building a modern India.